ILRI supports Sierra Leone's livestock sector with high-yield forage seeds, boosting food security

In a significant step towards improving livestock feed availability and enhancing food security in Sierra Leone, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) presented high-yielding forage seeds and stem cuttings to His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

This presentation, underscores ILRI’s commitment to supporting sustainable livestock systems and year-round feed availability in the country.

The presentation took place during the official visit of the President and his delegation to the headquarters of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria, in a step toward strengthening agricultural research, technology scaling, and capacity development of national research systems in Sierra Leone.

During President Bio’s visit to ILRI’s Ibadan facilities, he was deeply impressed by the innovative livestock technologies available for adoption in Sierra Leone, and at his request, after the tour in a brief focused meeting, Siboniso Moyo, ILRI Deputy Director General, Partnerships and Impact, and Tunde Amole, ILRI Senior Scientist and Country Representative to Nigeria presented Urochloa ruziziensis seeds and Cenchrus purpureum (BRS-capiacu) stem cuttings. These forages are specifically selected for their high yield, nutritional value, and adaptability to Sierra Leone’s agro-ecological conditions.

Photo: (L to R): Simeon Ehui (IITA Director General), His Excellency Julius Maada Bio (President of the Republic of Sierra Leone), Siboniso Moyo (ILRI Deputy Director General, Partnerships and Impact) and Tunde Amole (ILRI Senior Scientist and country representative to Nigeria). Credit: ILRI/Folusho Onifade

Curated by Tezira Lore, Communication Officer, ILRI